Thorncombe Woods Local Nature Reserve
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Attraction
About
Owned and managed by the Dorset Council's Country Parks team, this magical pocket of mixed woodland and heath is home to a great diversity of wildlife. The woodland gives way to Black Heath, an area of heather and gorse with its own herd of Dartmoor ponies. Rushy Pond is a small watering hole for many birds, mammals, damselflies and dragonflies. Running through the site is a well preserved Roman road, which is designated as an Scheduled Ancient Monument. Adjacent is Hardys Birthplace Visitors Centre with facilities, automated dog wash and a small independent café. Please note while dog are welcome we do have seasonal lead restrictions due to ground nesting birds in areas and dogs should be kept out of Rushy Pond at all times.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 3 hours